Surname MacIllesher - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacIllesher: What does the surname MacIllesher mean?
The Scottish surname MacIllesher is believed to have derived from the MacAlister clan of Scotland, an ancient family descended from the Chiefs of Clan Donald. It is a patronymic name meaning "son of Alistair".
The MacAlister clan originated in the Hebridean Islands during the 13th century, and were known to be a powerful force. In the 13th century, their leader, Alexander was one of the five Guardians of Scotland, appointed by Robert the Bruce and is known to have played a pivotal role in the successful defense of the kingdom. The clan adopted the MacIllesher spelling of their name after banding together with the MacMillan and MacDonald clans in the 1400s.
The surname MacIllesher is most commonly seen in Northern Ireland and Scotland. A Family of MacIlleshers, who first settled in Ulster during the plantations of the 1600s, can still be found in great numbers today. The family has also spread across the world, with a large population of people who have MacIllesher as their last name residing in Australia and the United States.
Overall, the last name of MacIllesher is proud to be associated with a formerly powerful Scottish clan. Its history is a reminder of the strength and fortitude of the MacAlister clan, who played an important role in the shaping of Scotland’s past.
Order DNA origin analysisMacIllesher: Where does the name MacIllesher come from?
The MacIllesher last name is widely believed to be of Irish origin, but can also be seen in Scottish heritage as well. The name is thought to be derived from the original Gaelic Mac gille Shearchair which translates to ‘Son of the Servant of the Prophet’.
Today the MacIllesher last name is most commonly found in Ireland, Scotland and UK. It is also seen in parts of New Zealand and Australia, and in some smaller populations in USA, Canada, and other parts of Europe. It has become quite popular in Ireland and Scotland over the years and is currently the 103rd most common last name in those countries, respectively.
The MacIllesher last name is quite old, dating back to at least the 13th century during the Norman Invasion. It is believed to have originated with an Irish king of an old sept of the Uí Fiachrach family. This old name was later anglicized and became MacIllesher.
The Coat of Arms for the MacIllesher family is a blue shield with a martlet and a white hound rampant. The family motto is “Celebraverit semper” meaning ‘Let him celebrate always’.
Variations of the surname MacIllesher
The surname MacIllesher is of Irish ancestry, deriving from the Gaelic surname MacGillaiséir, which translates as "son of the servant of Jesus". It is also sometimes spelled as MacGillasher, MacGilliesher, McIlresh, MacIlresh and MacGillicudy.
Variants of the surname include Mac Gilliesher, Mac Gileysher, Mac Gillering, Mac Gillery, Mac Gilmore, McKilliser and McIllesther. The English versions of this surname are Kilcher and Milcher.
Many surnames derived from MacIllesher are descended from Irish nobility. These include: MacGillisheir of County Derry, MacGilliesh of County Donegal, MacGilleis of County Roscommon, MacGillister of County Fermanagh as well as MacGillish of County Clare.
Other Irish surnames of similar origin include Mac Gillashey, MacGillis, MacGillooly, MacGilloway, and MacGillaspie. In the US, the name is also spelled MacGilesher.
A number of variant surnames have also been created from MacIllesher, including: Gilesher, Gillysher, Gillsher, Gillisher, MacGillicuddy, McGillesher, MacGillispie, and MacGillochay.
Given its Irish origins, the surname MacIllesher is also found in countries outside of Ireland, such as in Scotland, England, the US and Australia. In Scotland, the name could be spelled as MacGileshore, MacGileshire or MacGillasheer. In England, it might be spelled as MacGilliesher, MacWillishire or MacGillishire.
When Anglicizing the name, be aware that MacIllesher can also be spelled as Gilcrist, Gilcher, Lilchen, McCalister and Calister.
Famous people with the name MacIllesher
- William McAlister Macmillan: William McAlister Macmillan is a British historian, television producer, and newspaper columnist. He was the author of several books on British history.
- John Macmillan: John Macmillan is a Scottish television and radio presenter, who was the lead presenter for BBC Scotland’s Live at Five.
- Màiri MacInnes: Màiri MacInnes is a Gaelic singer and songwriter from the Scottish Highlands. She is well known for her stirring rendition of the traditional ballad “The Bluebells Of Scotland”.
- Monte MacLeod: Monte MacLeod is a Canadian actor, writer, producer and director. He has been featured in the CBC series Arctic Air and the ABC sitcom Little Mosque on the Prairie.
- Torquil MacIlleSagairt: Torquil MacIlleSagairt is a Scottish actor. He is best known for his performance as Angus Campbell in the BBC drama seriesThe Village.
- Angus Macmillan: Angus Macmillan was a Scottish poet, songwriter and story-teller. One of the most prolific of Scotland’s traditional bards, he wrote hundreds of poems and stories, including many popular songs.
- Pierre Macllesher: Pierre Macllesher is a Canadian actor, best known for his role in the 1987 TV series Street Legal.
- Ryan Macmillan: Ryan Macmillan is a professional soccer player from Scotland. He currently plays for the Scottish Premiership side Celtic FC.
- Trish MacMillan: Trish MacMillan is a Scottish television presenter. She is known for her work on the BBC series Countryfile and BBC Scotland's Landward.
- James Macmillan: James Macmillan is a British composer, conductor and concert organist. He is known for his choral and orchestral works, operas, and stage music.